Historical Designs

The NeoLucida is an update to the 19th century camera lucida. Since William Hyde Wollaston patented the Camera Lucida in 1807, plenty of scientists, artists, and craftsmen have proposed their own version of the “prism on a stick.”

Cataloged here are a variety of papers, patents, and guides made throughout the centuries outlining how camera lucidas work and how to build your own. Click the links below to download PDF files.